Earlier this month I wrote about my experience volunteering with the newly reimagined Boise Farmers Market. Trying as these times may be, one needn’t look far to find others who suffer daily from things like chronic invisible disabilities and progressive illnesses. After last Saturday’s event, the market manager shared an email she had received from market patrons.
…we so love the Farmers Market and all you and the volunteers do and you have just given us another reason to be grateful. Tomorrow is our 40th wedding anniversary. We still use the word “celebrate” in connection of 40 years of marriage. As in celebrate the Anniversary. That in spite of the ups and downs that go not just with life but aging and in my case a chronically progressive disease (MS) for all 40 of those years. Our running joke is we go out for a nice dinner every year on our anniversary and over a glass of wine we toast and negotiate whether we will ‘renew the contract’ for the next year. Last year we did that at Petite 4. The year before at State & Lemp when the McCoys (of Camel’s Crossing fame) owned it. And so on. But this year dining out was not in our game plan (nor will it be for a while) and as much as we LOVE to cook (hence so enjoying the Farmers Market for ingredients) we didn’t want to really have to cook on our anniversary. Then, lo and behold, we saw the Ferranti’s were making veg lasagna this week. Woohoo! They are feeding us our main course tomorrow. The boysenberries we ordered from Albeke and the apricots from Shaw will be our dessert. And to make it even more awesome we kicked off toasting today after the market bags were unpacked with Huckleberry Danish from Acme to go with coffee and reflected on what a blessing it is to be in times of access to such good food so safely provided by you and the volunteers to use for our 40th celebration. Thanks!
This note brought into focus the importance of community, the importance of volunteering, the importance of health, the importance of safety. This weekly event remains pretty much my only association with other people, aside from a quick, masked in ‘n out at the grocery store. This association brings me into contact with people from who knows where. Our small army of volunteers has not escaped the hazards of the pandemic. Three volunteers who worked the last Saturday in June were subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19. However, since that time, no other volunteers or vendors have reported a positive test (during which time our county’s numbers have soared). Hopefully all of our precautions are working.
I am thrilled that I could have been part of contributing this couple’s 40th wedding celebration. I even had a chance to snap a few pictures while there was a lull in activity.
Rangewriter 
It’s always nice to get a word of appreciation and know you are not volunteering in vain.
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Yes. We know it’s easier and more common to reach for the pen of complaint than the pen of appreciation.
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Linda, thanks for sharing the market. Also, I love the “renewing the contract” concept. I was wondering where it was going with the title. Very nice. Keith
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Thanks Keith. I often fumble over titles. This time, as I reread the letter, it jumped right out at me. 😉
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It is good to see many people wearing masks and the bags being packed. wonderful community spirit. I finally started to take my reusable bags to the grocery after reaching intolerance level for the plastics. I don’t mind packing it myself. I am going to the farmer’s market too, starting next week.
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Awesome. Yes, some stores allow us to bring our own bags, but not all. It’s a bit confusing. But I can deal with it.
I wish the entire community was wearing masks like we are at the market. It is a requirement there for everyone who comes on site. Even the buyers must wear masks in their cars if they open the window to speak.
I was out in the hinterlands earlier this week and boy, those little western communities do NOT understand the importance of masks. Many of the travelers from urban areas mask up, but the locals don’t. Instead they wear quiet smirks.
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Wonderful, Linda!
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Thanks, my friend.
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I love when people take the time to write letters of thanks. In this age of slash and burn, it’s so much easier to vent ones disappointment. I wish the lovely couple many more years of renewed contracts and also best wishes to your lovely farmers market!
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Thanks Janis. Happiness squared.
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Farmers markets are universal blessings and always popular. I went to our local one last week and it was fairly busy. The lock downs have been eased and as long as people stay 1.50 metres away from each other, things are reasonably well tolerated. Some wear masks but so far it isn’t as yet obligatory except in the state of Victoria where a second wave is now rampant.
I bought my usual 6 Vietnamese spring rolls with chili sauce and a nice Grevillea for the garden.
Volunteers guided us in and out and everywhere there were alcoholic hand-cleansing bottles available.
A great day.
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Sounds like a wonderful outing, Gerard. And I like your choice in food. 🙂 Are you also able to meet with your friends at the coffee shop?
Unfortunately, as you know, COVID here has exploded. Our COVIDIOT finally started half-heartedly embracing masks–4 months late–but better late than never I suppose.
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You and your fellow volunteers are such an inspiration. Be safe & keep on keepin’ on!
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Thanks, Karen. It is delicious seeing all the varieties of produce that I’ve never encountered before. And this has pushed me out of my normal range just a bit. Great food fun.
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I’m honored by being included in your post about thriving during difficult times.
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